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Crocs - Is The Molded Footwear Trend Over???
Posted By: chanbrowns* on 9/18/2007 6:35 AM (CST) 500 Points
Crocs are experiencing a significant backlash and mainstream media is starting to jump on the bandwagon.

Due to accidents and injuries, some hospitals and schools have banned Crocs and their generic cousins in the "molded footwear" category.

Environmental groups are raising concerns as enough have been made to fill many landfill's already and they will take 100's of years to decay.

The shoe is just plain ugly (okay, my opinion not a fact). The shoe has no aspirational appeal and is not showing up in photo's of celebrities. Unlike Ugg boots, they do not have the cachet that add's to their value.

Knockoff's in grocery, drug, gas stations, etc. Walgreen's offering at 2/$10.00, Meijer's at 6.99, Krogers at 7.99.

Are these 5 of the seven signs of the CrocApocalyse? Is the trend over? I am seeing signs that point to Crocs plummeting into obscurity and Jelly's emerging as the heir apparent (I believe this will be Jelly's 4th time through the trend cycle).

Please share your thoughts on this important lifechanging topic. While I have found that this discussing elicits strong emotions and can be fun, I am looking for your legitimate insights as well.

Discuss!

Posted by: BARQ Member Response
9/18/2007 7:36 AM (CST)
The cases of Crocs-like footwear (especially for children) causing injuries on escalators have been documented for over a year. Yet the mass markets ignore the dangers in favor of cheap "fashion." Only a change in pricey fashion will kill the Croc. Then the American-backed Chinese knock-offs will jump on the new trend.

The Croc is near dead. Long live the crock.

I'll stick with my penny loafers, sneakers and docksiders.


BARQ
 
Posted by: Jay Hamilton-Roth Accepted Answer
9/18/2007 9:27 AM (CST)
The top management at CROX sold a large # of shares in June (http://www.247wallst.com/2007/06/crocs_insider_s.html).

A columnist in the Guardian (http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fashion/story/0,,2157430,00.html?gusrc=...) describes the plans for Crocs in 2008, and it shows that they plan to diversify, which would make sense given all the copycats.

Perhaps the shoes will slowly fade away. But the company sounds like it's going strong...
 
Posted by: bb2nrg Member Response
9/18/2007 9:33 AM (CST)
CROCS now has 56 styles and the 2 orginal, the Cayman and Beach now account for only 20% of the companys production volume and have yet to see unit volume peak. its well documented the knock offs dont have the space age material performance of the CROCS, croslite was invented by foam creations, and in copy-crap China demand for CROCS is surprisingly big.
 
Posted by: Mark Hannah Accepted Answer
9/18/2007 9:45 AM (CST)
First of all, I was surprised the Croc Craze lasted this long. I have seen some of their fashions looking more like regular shoes.

I think that the molding, rubber footwear may be close to being over. I could easily see Crocs moving to another style of shoe to keep the interest of the shoe market.

I think the cycle has just about run its course.
 
Posted by: SurfnSpy Accepted Answer
9/18/2007 10:21 AM (CST)
I live in Newport Beach, CA and they've been "dead" for well over a year. Not even the little kids wear'em anymore. Hope that helps.
 
Posted by: chanbrowns* Author Response
9/18/2007 10:53 AM (CST)
Thanks to all that have replied so far, I appreciate your input. I am going to keep this open the balance of the day and accept answers this evening. Keep your insights coming.

Love the regional insights from CA - any other feedback from the coasts?
 
Posted by: k.pohlman Accepted Answer
9/18/2007 11:02 AM (CST)
I personally don't 'get' them. I tried one on and thought..."what's the big deal"? I'm in Ohio and sales are steady but popularity seems to be waning. I'm amazed that people pay up to $50 for them.

I expect them to fade but not completely(especially since winter is coming!!), they seem to be popular in the medical field and the "jewelry" allows people to personalize them.
 
Posted by: phil.wesel Accepted Answer
9/18/2007 1:36 PM (CST)
Well I would say the opera aint over until the fat lady is wearing Crocs while she sings...
Here is a little blurb from July 07 Slate mag
"In 2002, the company earned a gross profit of $1,000 from sales in America. By 2006, following a series of strategic licensing deals (you can now get NASCAR and Disney Crocs, for example), it was earning more than $200 million a year from sales in 40 countries. (I even spotted knockoffs called Rockies in Jerusalem's Muslim quarter.) Nor have consumers' appetite yet been whetted: During the first quarter of 2007, the company's sales had increased 217 percent from the same period the previous year."

So any company with $200 million in sales has plenty of moolah to add marketing muscle to its sales and reinvent itself two or three times before its demise.

You and We will know it is over for Crocs when they are selling them for $1 a pair everywhere. What they need to do is inject the market with a collecting craze much like Beanie Babies with Tush tags and Mint with Tags and all that kind of stuff. Once the word is out that the Princess Die Crocs are the ones to have they can move on to Britney Crocs (is it too late for that) to she's really hot Rihanna crocs. And of course there is pleanty of room for companion offerings such as a cross between crocs and swatch called you guessed it but I am not saying it here.

If you need more good marketing ideas you know who to call.
 
Posted by: chanbrowns* Author Response
9/18/2007 2:44 PM (CST)
Interesting point of view, but I am not sure that I agree with their potential to reinvent themselves with licenses. You don't see celebs wearing them and while the Jibbitz decorative accessories are getting play now, they are a kids item only. If the safety backlash gets too strong (and the media is heating the story up again the past 24 hours), then cute and collectable may not matter.

Just my thoughts, but I respect your POV.
 
Posted by: chanbrowns* Author Response
9/18/2007 4:50 PM (CST)
Thank you all for your insights, I am going to accept responses and close this question. Personally, I feel that the days are numbered and the trend is over. While there were several contrary opinions, I didn't here a convincing arguement to sway me.

I received one very strong point of view from "BB2RNG" that quoted a lot of sales jargon, worded to sound like a layman. Anyone that provides style counts, quotes production percentages, calls their base material by it's Trademarked name (Croslite) and trashes the competition is likely someone affiliated with the company. The fact that BB2RNG just joined today, leads me to believe that he/she is a Croc's employee that monitors negative web posts and counters them.

It is unfortunate that you have to filter this type of content and that it pollutes a site like this. Thanks to all of the legitimate respondents!

 
Posted by: chanbrowns* Author Response
9/18/2007 4:53 PM (CST)
I spread the wealth with five winners for 100 points each. Thanks, again.
 


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